United Kingdom: Updates to UK Immigration Rules in Statement of Changes
October 20, 2022
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At a Glance
The UK government amended the UK Immigration Rules in a new Statement of Changes. Key changes include:
- Updates to several Global Business Mobility routes, including a revision to the Service Supplier sub-route, enabling permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand to qualify for this route via a free trade agreement;
- An update allowing foreign nationals from British Overseas Territories to apply for a student visa without proof of English fluency, as was previously required; and
- With effect from 9 November, Citizens of Colombia, Guyana, and Peru will be removed from the visa national list and can now enter the United Kingdom as visitors without needing to apply for pre-travel authorisation.
The situation
The UK government has published a new Statement of Changes, under which most of the changes relate to the Global Business mobility route as well as other more minor amendments.
A closer look
| CHANGE | DETAILS | IMPACT |
| Expanded eligibility under the Service Supplier sub-route of the Global Business Mobility route |
|
This clarifies that the Service Supplier route is open to permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand (as well as nationals), subject to the other eligibility criteria being met. |
| British Overseas Territories have been added to the Majority English Speaking Country List | Citizens of British Overseas Territories, including the countries listed here, no longer require proof of English fluency when applying for a student visa. | Eligible foreign nationals should benefit from a shorter document preparation time for their student visa. |
| New visa waiver |
Citizens of Colombia, Guyana, and Peru are eligible for a new visa waiver in the United Kingdom for business and tourism for up to 180 days in a 365-day period. These individuals are still required to limit their duration of stay and activities in the United Kingdom to those permitted as a visitor. | Eligible citizens may enter the United Kingdom as visitors without needing to apply for pre-travel authorization, which should save time and resources on eligible trips. |
Other, less relevant, changes are discussed here.
Background
UK Immigration Rules are often changed several times a year, via Statement of Changes, which lists the amendments that will be incorporated into updated Immigration Rules on the specified implementation dates.
Looking ahead
The UK government will release detailed guidance on the above, as well as other rulings. Fragomen will report on all relevant developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
